Book Rental Fees

Unfortunately as a teacher, I can't really sympathize. When you take into account how much your children ARE getting from going to school, how many services ARE provided at no additional cost, and how much teachers cover out of their own pockets for classroom materials (I can't tell you how many times I've given students binders, folders, paper, not to mention TONS of pencils when they come to class without) $100 for school supplies is a deal. I'm not saying $100 is not a significant amount of money, but if your school is a good school, they are providing your child with a quality education that will give them the opportunity to pursue a higher education degree so they can go on to be successful in whatever their chosen profession turns out to be, and it only cost you $100/yr.

I guess I don't have an answer but can commiserate. I lived in one town some years back, moved to the one right next door and was shocked when it was required to pay fees. I guess that one town took it out of taxes and the next town took it right out of our pockets!

Nothing is free, you either pay through your taxes or straight out of pocket. At least if it is out of pocket you only have to pay while your kids are in school. Also it is not just illegals there are lots and lots of kids who are here legally and on free and reduced plans. Some need it and many do not. Unfortunely some take advantage of the system and therefore force others to take care of thier obligations. Honestly though 100 bucks does not really seem that bad. That averages to about 10 bucks a month. Most people now days pay 25 to 30 bucks for a data package for their phone that they do not need. And I do agree with the teacher, many of us finance our students needs. Even if you do buy your kids supplies they forget them or run out and then use ours. So next time you see a teacher thank them for buying extra supplies so that they are there to lend. Also a gift card to Target or Walmart is always great for Christmas!

It does seem wrong!!! In high school sometimes book fees are 200.-400.00$$ per child. In elementary schools we also have to pay for supervision fees even if they go home for lunch!! i lived in California and public education was free-everything!!! Look where that's gotten them!!

My understanding is that everyone pays for school via taxes. The tax system covers the longterm committment to education and that is paid for by everyone in the state. So the tax covers more of the longterm items such as maintenance of the buildings and buses, but it also covers the teacher's salaries and yearly operating expenses for the schools. In Indiana, the property tax is the method of payment for education which is made by everyone in the state. However, I believe because there was some concern that those that don't currently have kids in the school system should not be paying for the current school year supplies such as books, that is why Indiana has always carved that out and instead of including that amount in everyone's taxes, puts that obligation on the parents with kids in the school currently. I'm sure those of us with several kids in the school system currently will really appreciate not having to pay that once our kids are no longer in school.

But, bottom line, there is no "free" education since all of us must pay for that service / benefit. The states that do not charge a book rental and then are stopped from getting new books because the tax payers refuse to increase referendums for education are the States that I feel bad for. I think Indiana has done a pretty good job of balancing the obligaiton between those with kids currently in the system and those wihtout. Also, I think all schools provide financial assistance for those that are truly struggling to pay the book rental fee. I think you just need to request a form to fill out and meet the criteria for assistance. Good luck! Mom w/4 in the schools currently.

Gotta love it! Yes ma'am. I had 3 kids in school and complained each and every year. The only year I got a reprieve of sorts was when I was unemployed so I didn't have to pay the "full fee" and they got reduced lunches. But then they all felt like they were looked at funny, because they made them go to a special line for food. After complaints to the principal, they let them go thru the same line. That same year I got a job again, so I ended up paying full price from then on. You could ask the school for "used" books or to rent them and not pay for them, see what they say. I'm sure there are other kids in your school that get it. It will take a mountain of people to stop that kind of madness. Vote out the people who are draining the American Citizens and put real people in their places. Maybe then we'll see a change for the better. Good luck

When I went to school many years back, we were using books that were printed over 15 years earlier. I would assume that by charging parents for books, a) it helps reduce home owner's taxes and b) assures your kids are getting the most updated books available. I'm guessing you would pay more than double if they forced you to buy the books.